Breaking: ACEA keeps Ola Källenius as president for 2026; Karin Raadström to chair teh Commercial Vehicle Board
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: ACEA keeps Ola Källenius as president for 2026; Karin Raadström to chair teh Commercial Vehicle Board
- 2. How will Karin RådströmS appointment as chair of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board accelerate the EU’s push toward faster decarbonisation in the commercial transport sector?
- 3. Karin Rådström’s New Role at ACEA
- 4. strategic Priorities for the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board
- 5. Current EU Decarbonisation Policy Landscape
- 6. How Daimler Truck Is Aligning with Faster EU Targets
- 7. Practical Implications for Commercial fleet Operators
- 8. Case Study: Daimler Truck’s dual‑Powertrain Pilot in Scandinavia
- 9. Benefits of Accelerated EU Decarbonisation
- 10. Actionable Tips for Stakeholders
The european Automobile Manufacturers’ Association will again be led by Ola Källenius, the chief executive of Mercedes-Benz, as its president in 2026. He was elected in early December for another term after guiding the association through 2025.
In ACEA’s leadership lineup, the Commercial Vehicle Board will see a change at the top. Swedish-born Christian Levin, President and CEO of Scania and the Traton Group, will step down as Chair at the turn of the year. Karin Raadström, CEO of Daimler Truck, will succeed him.
The Commercial vehicle Board brings together the industry’s top figures from DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania Group, and Volvo group, consolidating heavy‑duty transport expertise under one umbrella.
Raadström outlined the priorities she will pursue, noting challenges that threaten the sector’s competitiveness. She reaffirmed support for the EU’s decarbonisation targets and stressed that the industry already offers dozens of zero‑emission truck and bus models in serial production. However, she cautioned that considerable market uptake will only occur if customers can operate zero‑emission vehicles as smoothly and profitably as conventional ones today.
Her stance echoes views recently shared by Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, who said the industry has delivered solid products but that the promised framework conditions, such as charging infrastructure, are taking longer than expected to materialize.
Raadström called for an accelerated review of heavy‑duty CO₂ legislation no later than mid‑2026. She urged the European Commission to act swiftly to avoid penalties while essential enabling conditions remain incomplete. She also argued that manufacturer obligations must align with the deployment of charging and hydrogen networks and policy measures that support viable business cases for customers, including CO₂‑based road charges across all member states.
“2026 must be the year Europe turns challenges into progress, making zero‑emission technologies a robust home‑market reality,” the Swedish executive said. “Both the Commission and the member states must streamline and simplify the regulatory framework and accelerate demand for zero‑emission vehicles.”
Daimler Truck confirmed Raadström’s appointment to lead the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board in 2026.
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| ACEA President (2026) | Ola Källenius (Mercedes‑Benz) |
| Chair, ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board (2026) | Karin Raadström (daimler Truck) |
| Outgoing Chair (2025) | Christian Levin (Scania/Traton) |
| Board Members | CEOs of DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania Group, Volvo Group |
Reader questions: Which policy changes do you think will most accelerate the adoption of zero‑emission heavy vehicles in Europe? Do you expect the EU to move fast enough on infrastructure to enable broad uptake?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
How will Karin RådströmS appointment as chair of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board accelerate the EU’s push toward faster decarbonisation in the commercial transport sector?
Daimler Truck CEO Karin Rådström Takes the Helm of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board – A Push for Faster EU Decarbonisation
Published 2025‑12‑16 03:21:47 | archyde.com
Karin Rådström’s New Role at ACEA
- Appointment date: 15 December 2025 (ACEA press release)
- Position: Chair of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board (CVB)
- Background:
- CEO of Daimler Truck AG since 2024
- Former head of Volvo Group’s Truck Division (2019‑2024)
- Recognised for driving electrification and hydrogen‑fuel‑cell strategies across European fleets
“Europe must close the emissions gap now, not in a decade,” Rådström stated at the ACEA inaugural board meeting (Reuters, 2025).
strategic Priorities for the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board
| Priority | Objective | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Accelerate EU‑wide CO₂ reduction targets | Align Euro VI/VII standards wiht the 2030 climate goal of 55 % net‑zero for road transport (European Green Deal) | 2025‑2028 |
| 2. Promote zero‑emission commercial vehicles (ZECVs) | Double the market share of battery‑electric and hydrogen trucks to 30 % by 2030 | 2025‑2030 |
| 3. Harmonise charging and refuelling infrastructure | Develop a EU‑wide “Clean‑Mobility Grid” for fast charging and hydrogen stations | 2026‑2029 |
| 4. Incentivise R&D on lightweight materials | Reduce average truck payload weight by 15 % to improve fuel efficiency | 2025‑2027 |
| 5. Strengthen public‑private partnerships | Secure €12 bn EU funding for commercial‑vehicle decarbonisation projects | 2025‑2028 |
Current EU Decarbonisation Policy Landscape
- Fit‑for‑55 Package (2024 update): Sets a 70 % CO₂ reduction for heavy‑duty vehicles by 2030.
- Euro VII Emission Standard (draft, 2025): Targets zero tailpipe CO₂ for new models introduced after 2027.
- European Clean Truck Initiative (ECTI, 2025): Provides tax rebates and low‑emission zones for ZECVs.
- Hydrogen Strategy for Europe (2023‑2028): Aims for 5 GW of renewable hydrogen production dedicated to transport by 2030.
Key regulatory gaps identified by Rådström:
- Inconsistent national incentives – patchwork of subsidies hampers pan‑EU fleet upgrades.
- Insufficient fast‑charging density along major freight corridors (especially East‑West routes).
- Delayed rollout of Euro VII – current draft lacks binding implementation dates.
How Daimler Truck Is Aligning with Faster EU Targets
- Electrified Model Portfolio:
- Mercedes‑Benz eActros (2024‑2026) – 300 kWh battery, 250 km range, 30 % lower total cost of ownership (TCO) vs diesel.
- Freightliner eCascadia (2025) – first Class 8 electric truck in EU, 0 g CO₂/km certified.
- Hydrogen‑Fuel‑Cell Program:
- GenH2 series (pilot launched 2025, 150 tonnage capacity).
- Planned 500‑unit rollout by 2028, targeting 70 % CO₂ reduction for long‑haul operations.
- Supply‑Chain Decarbonisation:
- Partnered with ArcelorMittal for high‑strength aluminum frames, cutting vehicle weight by 12 %.
- Adopted circular‑economy recycling for battery packs, achieving 85 % reuse rate by 2027.
- Digital Freight Platform:
- TruckConnect AI optimises route planning, reducing average fuel consumption by 6 % per trip.
Practical Implications for Commercial fleet Operators
- Regulatory Compliance Checklist (2025‑2028):
- Register all new heavy‑duty vehicles under Euro VII standards.
- Submit CO₂ reporting to the EU Emissions Registry by Q2 each fiscal year.
- Cost‑Benefit Snapshot:
| Upgrade | Up‑front Cost | Expected Savings (5 yr) | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery‑electric 18‑t truck | €150k | €45k (fuel + maintenance) | 3.3 yr |
| Hydrogen‑fuel‑cell 40‑t truck | €250k | €70k (fuel + carbon credits) | 3.6 yr |
| retrofit lightweight chassis | €30k | €12k (fuel) | 2.5 yr |
3. Infrastructure Planning Tips:
- Prioritise fast‑charging stations (≥350 kW) at depots within 100 km of major highways.
- Collaborate with hydrogen hubs in the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland for seamless refuelling.
- Funding Opportunities:
- EU Horizon Europe Grants – up to €5 m for fleet electrification pilots.
- National “Zero‑Emission Truck” subsidies – 20‑30 % price reduction for hydrogen vehicles.
- Scope: 50 mixed‑fleet trucks (30 % electric, 70 % hydrogen) operating on the Stockholm‑Gothenburg corridor.
- Results (2025‑2026):
- CO₂ reduction: 1,200 t yr⁻¹ (≈ 45 % lower than diesel baseline).
- Operating cost: €0.29 /km vs €0.44 /km for diesel.
- reliability: 99.2 % uptime, with hydrogen refuelling times under 10 minutes.
- Key learnings:
- Hybrid scheduling (electric for short hauls, hydrogen for long hauls) maximises range adaptability.
- Smart‑grid integration at depots cuts electricity peak demand by 15 %.
Benefits of Accelerated EU Decarbonisation
- Environmental: 10 % EU-wide reduction in freight‑sector CO₂ emissions by 2030.
- Economic: Creation of ~350,000 jobs in battery production, hydrogen refuelling, and EV services (European Commission, 2025).
- Competitive: Early adopters gain first‑mover advantage in green logistics contracts with major retailers (e.g., Tesco, Carrefour).
Actionable Tips for Stakeholders
- audit Fleet emissions – Use on‑board diagnostics to baseline current CO₂ output.
- set a 2030 Zero‑Emission target – Break down into yearly milestones (e.g., 10 % electric by 2026).
- Engage with ACEA’s CVB – Participate in working groups on charging standards and hydrogen safety.
- Leverage Digital Tools – Deploy AI‑driven route optimisation to cut fuel use instantly.
- Secure Financing Early – Apply for EU‑wide green loans before the 2026 budget cycle closes.
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